How to Reduce Chemicals in Your Home While Staying Clean
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When we think of outdoor pollution, we often picture layers of trash dropped off on the side of the ocean or thick gray and black smog covering large cities. However, indoor pollution can be just as hazardous to your health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that most Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors and indoor air pollutants at their highest amount could be up to 100 times greater indoors than outdoors. This means sitting on your couch could be more dangerous for your health than walking around the block in a metropolitan area.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to lower pollution levels I’m your home. When you get rid of toxins in your home, you and your loved ones will be able to breathe easier and you may be able to avoid allergies and other health issues.
Select Green Cleaners
Take a look at the ingredients in your household cleaners. Many detergents contain harmful chemicals that will stay in the air hours after you’ve used them. Go for cleaning products that feature natural ingredients made from plant extracts and essential oils. Some cleaning products contain ingredients you can find in your kitchen like baking soda, lemon juice, 35% H2O2, and vinegar. These ingredients are food-grade and can clean your countertops, keep your sinks and dishwashers clean, and remove dirt and debris from the floor and baseboards.
Change and Clean Your A/C and Furnace Filters
Depending on how often you use your filters, you should change them every 1-3 months. This will keep your air clean and ensure that your HVAC system runs efficiently. You can include this task on your calendar so you won’t forget.
Don’t Use Synthetic Air Freshener
Spraying air fresheners will give your home a pleasant scent but these products will also release chemicals into the air that are dangerous to breathe in. Use essential oils like lavender to emit a floral scent in your home that can help you relax. Or, you can use lemongrass oil to boost your mood and give your home a fresh, citrus scent. Oils like vanilla, cinnamon, and chamomile are ideal for scenting your home as well. You can put these oils in a diffuser to distribute the fragrance around your house. Or, you can make your own air freshener by combining water with the oils of your choice in a spray bottle.
Take Your Shoes Off
Make sure you and your family remove your shoes when you enter your home. Ask your guests to do the same. This will track less dirt into the house which will keep chemicals and pesticides from getting on your floor and furniture. This is essential for keeping your home clean if you have carpet since the carpet can trap dirt and toxins for years.
Use Houseplants
Indoor plants can reduce the pollutants in the air such as formaldehyde and benzene. Some of the houseplants that do a thorough job of purifying the air include spider flower, gerbera daisy, peace lily, ficus, chrysanthemums, and plants in the Chinese evergreen family.
Open the Windows
Since the pollution you’re exposed to indoors may be worse than outdoor pollution, you should let some of the outside air into your home. Crack the windows on opposing sides of your home for about 10 minutes every day to circulate the air and lower the toxins in the house.
Clean Regularly
Dust can easily settle in your home. Dust is also one of the main ways your children are exposed to harmful chemicals. Removing the dust often by wiping the tables, vacuuming, and mopping at least once a week will remove some of the unwanted pollutants in your home. You may want to do this more often if you have young children who play on the floor or a crawling baby.
Buy An Air Purifier
An air purifier can be beneficial if you have a pet in the home or suffer from allergies or asthma. Some purifiers use HEPA filters that trap particles in the air. You’ll have to clean or replace these filters regularly. Other air purifiers use ionizers but these can irritate the lungs and the ozone could stain your walls.
Conclusion
These helpful tips will make your home healthier and keep you from having to use too many synthetic chemicals to keep your house clean and deodorized. Many of these tips don’t require much money and make it easier for you to enjoy elements of nature that can keep you and your family healthier.
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